Going to be taking a small break from the streams. With my first child due in 4 weeks and still preparing, I dont think I will make it out much the next year or so. I've decided to start tying flies but I don't even know where to start. I will be working with a low budget. What would be a good book and how much should I expect to spend to get started?

I just started fly tying this spring. I initially started with a decent amount of supplies and tools and spent about $180. That would be enough to get you started with some of the simple patterns.(pheasant tails nymphs, wooly buggers, etc.) You could probably get started for under $100 if you just but the tools and materials for one or two simple patterns.

It's broken into sections such as dry, wet, streamer, nymph, etc. It will show you how to tie a basic version of each... such as the Adams for a dry, or the hare's ear for a nymph.

The idea is that the basic patterns will teach you the necessary skills, and it will eventually reduce to mixing and matching techniques/materials/colors. It finishes with recipes for the entire orvis fly catalog, which is handy.

I'm self taught on tying, never had lessons so I know it can be done. Although, just like learning to fly fish, a lesson or classes are probably the way to go. With that said, here is a book that I found extremely helpful. It doesn't have everything in it, but it's pretty good with the basics and easy to follow IMHO.

I would recommend starting with a couple of patterns that you generally fish with. Buggers are a great choice for a first fly as you can learn many techniques. Hare's Ear nymphs would also be another good one.

I got a fly tying kit from Cabelas as a gift and it's served me well. I just add more materials as I need to tie. In 5 years, I've accumulated quite a bit.

Get a good set of tools and a nice vice. Do not get a kit that includes materials. The materials that come with starter kits are fit for making cat toys, not trout flies.

Take a look at the fly patch on your vest to see what you want to tie. Chances are, there are a half dozen patterns on there that you use most of the time, all year. You'll enjoy tying them, and have confidence with them when you fish. Get the materials for those. And when it comes to dry flies, save money on the expensive hackle feathers by buying the sized packs of feathers. Whiting and Koeg put out packs called "100's", because the feathers in those packs should make a 100 flies.

Tye sparsely. A fly with 6 winds of hackle will not float any better than a fly with 4. It will how ever, catch less fish. Sparse flies have a better profile, let light through and generally perform better than heavily hackled flies. This goes double for dubbing and triple for hair wings.

Thread tension, thread tension, thread tension! The proper tension for tying is that point just before the thread snaps. The tighter the thread, the better the fly. Before you tie each night, start the thread and gradually apply pressure until you snap it. Do this a couple times until you realize that you can put a lot of pressure on the thread before it gives out. Through a half hitch in place when you are finished one step of the fly and about to reach for new materials. It'll keep everything under tension as you work and when the trout start chewing up your flies they won't unwind all at once.

Rod building will be my next venture. Pad, nothing better than a 21" smallie to test your craftsmanship. I'm hoping I can make bonus this month so I can start learning to tie. I'm gonna give it a shot on my own, I've self taught myself this far. If my flies end up looking like my casts I'm in trouble though. I taught myself on the little freestone streams and as soon as I get on a larger stream I'm a little lost. I only fish larger streams about twice a year so I'm in no hurry to learn. If I end up moving to MT next year I'm gonna have to learn. Oh yeah, and i think I will need something bigger than a 7 1/2" 3wt (My biggest rod). As with fly fishing my wife will probably catch on quick and will end up making me most the flies. As long as she keeps my box full I'll be happy!!!